Some people think that travel is just going to resort or the mall- you want this, you get this. But traveling is much more than that, much deeper than most people thought. Travel is much more like going inside a stranger’s home. There are rules and guidelines you must follow. Culture respect, asking permission, learning about the traditions, having a conversation are a must.
Gong, Fire and Dancing during Bagnas, a ritual done before and after planting season to thank Kabunian, the creator God of the Igorots
When you see the family living in the house, especially the head of the family, what do you do? Ignore them?
When you see there beautiful garden or pond, do you leave your trash there?
It is so sad to hear some travel agency view travel like going to the mall or going into a resort. “Because we are paying money (or bringing loads of money), we want to do this or that.”
“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Mary Ritter Beard
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James A. Michener
Sagada Elders leading Bagnas… they are about to walk around the rice terraces to offer prayers and gifts to God.
Traveling should never be exploitation, we human beings has so much love and goodness in our hearts and we can definitely turn things around. When we begin to see the locals as kins, brothers and sisters, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, lolo, lola, we begin to treat them with much love and respect. When we begin to see the places we visit as our own bodies, we begin to respect and take care of it. Then it will be a better world. And who knows maybe the start of world peace?
This post is my way of reflecting on the ff articles:
Sagada Elders, residents question Travel Factor Bonfire
Treat every place you visit and people you encounter the way you wanted to be treated by visitors in your own home.
just want to share my experience to “some” travel agency who doesn’t know how to handle clients properly. masakit man pakinggan, pero “pera pera lang.”
i usually travel DIY, pero since this time I tried how it goes when you book a package and I was so disappointed.
http://kerlynrufinobobadilla.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/travel-factor-service-review-sagada-bonfire-fest-2014/
oh dear.
Hopefully, I’ll get to SAGADA the next time I’ll be in Pinas. Seems nice….
hi james. i think this is very hypocritical coming from you. You yourself own JourneyingJamesTours right? So somehow, you are a part of the travel group/travel agency system.